My Taoist buddy has practiced surrogacy

Chapter 1460 Remember
One late night, when she happened to get up to use the bathroom, she noticed the study window was ajar. Moonlight streamed in, casting a tall, slender figure standing with a sword in hand. It was Zhou Xing practicing his martial arts; his movements were sharp yet disciplined, each strike accompanied by a whooshing sound that startled the birds roosting in the branches. She quietly hid behind a pillar to watch, and seeing the sweat beading on his forehead yet his unwavering focus, she couldn't help but feel a surge of respect.

Later, during a spring outing, they were ambushed by bandits. As the robbers, brandishing machetes and shouting, surrounded them, Zhou Xing instantly drew his sword and stood in front, his eyes cold and icy. He fought ten men single-handedly, his sword splattering blood without harming the innocent. Only after the last bandit had fled in disarray did he sheath his sword, turn to Ling Xue, whose face was pale with fright, and say gently, "Miss, you've been frightened." At that moment, the morning light pierced through the clouds, illuminating his blood-stained clothes, and inexplicably brought her a sense of peace.

Gradually, Ling Xue began to get used to having Zhou Xing by her side. He would remember that the osmanthus cake she loved was best eaten hot to be soft and chewy; he would quietly add a cup of strong tea for her when she was tired from reading; he could even read her thoughts from her words and prepare what she needed in advance. Although the two were of very different social statuses, they also developed a subtle understanding.

The peaceful life was shattered before the first autumn rain arrived. That day, the court was in turmoil. Evidence of the Censorate impeaching Lord Ling for embezzling military funds appeared out of nowhere, and the emperor, in a fit of rage, ordered a thorough investigation. When the Imperial Guards stormed into the Ling residence like wolves and tigers, it was dusk, and the setting sun stained the mess on the ground with a blood-red hue.

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees! The Ling family is suspected of treason and collusion with the enemy. Their property is hereby confiscated, and they are to be imprisoned!" The head eunuch read the imperial edict in a shrill voice, his fleshy face trembling with smugness. Servants cried and ran in all directions, while the once dignified mistress collapsed to the ground, sobbing uncontrollably.

In the chaos, Zhou Xing grabbed Ling Xue's hand: "Come with me!" He led her through a secret passage to the stables in the backyard, where he led out two fast horses and mounted them. The shouts of pursuers grew closer behind them, and arrows whistled past their ears. They galloped wildly to the outskirts of the city and into the mountains before finally escaping danger.

Night fell, and campfires flickered in the mountains. Ling Xue huddled in a corner of the cave, shivering, her delicate skirt stained with mud and bits of grass. Gazing at the distant flames soaring towards the capital, tears streamed down her face: "Why... why is our home gone like this?" Zhou Xing remained silent for a long time, then suddenly took off his outer robe and draped it over her shoulders: "Even if the sky falls, I'll hold it up."

In the days that followed, they wandered from place to place like fugitives. Sometimes they hid in fishermen's boats and drifted downstream; sometimes they disguised themselves as peddlers and mingled with the crowds in the market; more often, they slept in the wilderness, subsisting on wild fruits and mountain springs. Zhou Xing always gave the best food to Ling Xue first, while he himself ate dry, hard steamed buns and remained constantly vigilant about his surroundings. His palms, calloused from holding a sword for so long, were now carefully bandaging her ankle, which had been scratched by thorns.

The most dangerous time was when they were stopped and searched at the ferry crossing. The soldiers were searching the passengers and cargo on every passing boat, and it looked like they were about to be caught in the cargo hold. At the critical moment, Zhou Xing suddenly grabbed Ling Xue and pretended to be a couple on their way, saying, "Sir, you've had a long journey! We're a young couple returning home to visit relatives; here's our travel permit." He then slipped her a silver ingot. The officer weighed it, grinned, and let them pass. Only after they were safe did Ling Xue realize that his back was already soaked with cold sweat.

When the first heavy snow of winter arrived quietly, they finally found a relatively safe place to stay—a dilapidated temple outside a small town in Jiangnan. The temple keeper was a kind-looking old monk who took pity on them and took them in.

Life suddenly became difficult. The pampered young lady, who had never lifted a finger before, had to learn to do laundry, cook, and mend clothes. Her slender fingers were red and cracked from the cold water, and she often trembled when holding a needle. Whenever this happened, Zhou Xing would silently take over the work from her hands: "Go and rest." Then he would clumsily thread the needle, his stitches rough but his care exceptional.

To make a living, Zhou Xing went up the mountain to chop firewood during the day to earn money, and returned at night to repair the leaky roof. One night, a fierce wind blew over the pots and pans, and he went out in the snow to fix the doors and windows, returning covered in snow. Ling Xue felt extremely sorry for him and insisted on rubbing his stiff hands: "You are also made of flesh and blood..." Before she could finish speaking, tears fell from her eyes. Zhou Xing hurriedly wiped her face with his sleeve: "Don't cry, don't cry, I'm fine, aren't I?" But he himself was also secretly swallowing the suppressed sound of coughing.

A private school in town was short of a teacher, and Zhou Xing, who had some literacy, applied for the job. Every morning he taught the children to read and write, and in the afternoon he would write letters and account books for people to earn a meager wage. He used most of his income to buy medicine for Ling Xue to help her recover, while he himself still wore the same old clothes patched upon patched. The children liked this strict yet gentle teacher very much and often secretly gave him wild fruits and candied fruit.

On New Year's Eve, the two sat silently by the dim charcoal fire. The sounds of firecrackers outside echoed the cold, lonely atmosphere inside. Ling Xue suddenly stood up and pulled out a treasured collection of red paper-cut window decorations: "In previous years, our house would be covered with these patterns at this time..." The scissors nimbly spun in her hands, and soon a picture of magpies perched on plum blossoms appeared on the paper. Zhou Xing stared at it for a moment, then suddenly got up, went outside, and picked a few real plum blossoms, placing them in a ceramic jar: "Though there are no golden goblets or jade cups, the fragrance of plum blossoms comes from the bitter cold."

A turning point came the following spring. The new emperor ascended the throne and granted a general amnesty, allowing many old cases to be reopened. Zhou Xing secretly contacted former colleagues to gather evidence to prove the Ling family's innocence. Disguised, he infiltrated the capital, tirelessly gathering information and narrowly escaping exposure several times.

Meanwhile, Ling Xue didn't give up. Using her memory, she drew a diagram of the secret chamber in her family's library—where her grandfather's handwritten strategy for governing the country was hidden. Presenting this to the emperor might be the key to overturning the verdict. So, on a stormy night, the two sneaked into the ruins of their former home. The damp, dark environment was fraught with danger, and the stench of decay was nauseating. But supporting each other, they deciphered numerous mechanisms and finally found the long-forgotten book.

Upon returning to the capital, Zhou Xing used his connections with former subordinates to submit the materials to the palace. The young emperor, eager to reform the court and establish his authority, was overjoyed upon seeing this irrefutable evidence and immediately ordered a reinvestigation. After a joint trial by the three judicial departments, it was finally discovered that the alleged embezzlement was actually a frame-up! The mastermind behind it all was a political enemy who colluded with local officials to falsify accounts and frame loyal officials. The day the truth came to light, the entire court was in uproar and public opinion was in an uproar!
The entire capital was in an uproar the day the imperial edict was issued. The Ling family was not only released without charge but also had their titles restored and were richly rewarded. Those who had previously kicked them when they were down came to apologize but were turned away. Only true friends who had offered a helping hand received grateful looks.

After being exonerated, the Ling family prospered once again. However, unlike before, the family members had shed their former arrogance and extravagance, becoming more composed and reserved. As the eldest daughter, Ling Xue naturally became the object of marriage proposals from various parties, but she politely declined them all, saying she already had someone she loved.

This decision shocked everyone—the other party was none other than Zhou Xing, the lowly guard! When the news spread, there was much discussion; some said he was unworthy, while others said true love was precious. But when facing the questioning of the court officials, Ling Xue firmly said, "If it weren't for Young Master Zhou risking his life to protect me, I would have been dead long ago. How could I have achieved such glory today? My only wish in this life is to grow old with him."

Moved by their affection, the Emperor bestowed a marriage upon Zhou Xing and promoted him to the rank of Fifth-Rank Imperial Guard, granting him the privilege of wearing a bestowed golden crown and jade belt to participate in the imperial examinations. On their wedding day, ten miles of red bridal procession stretched along the long street, with people lining the road to offer their congratulations—a truly magnificent spectacle! In the wedding hall, the newlyweds exchanged vows of lifelong commitment as they bowed to Heaven and Earth and exchanged birth certificates. Their married life was simple yet happy. Zhou Xing continued to practice swordsmanship every morning and spend his evenings with his wife, admiring flowers and tending to plants. Occasionally, he would take his son to the countryside for horseback riding and archery. Time left its mark on their faces, but it also deepened their enduring affection. Whenever someone asked about their past, he would always smile and point to the old plum tree in the courtyard: "Look how beautifully these flowers bloom, just like our life, which has weathered storms yet only grown more radiant!"

In the spring of the ninth year of the Taihe reign, the peonies in the Qionglin Garden of the Imperial Garden were in full bloom. Before the morning dew had dried, a thin mist, like gauze, shrouded the vermilion eaves and green tiles, transforming the entire palace into a watercolor painting. Ling Xue, a newly promoted palace maid in the Clothing Department, hurried through the corridors carrying a newly made spring dress. The stray hairs at her temples trembled gently with each step, like a butterfly that had strayed into a celestial realm.

She was originally the daughter of a scholarly family in Jiangnan, but was forced into the palace as a slave after her father was convicted and her family property confiscated. Although surrounded by luxury, she always harbored an indelible sense of aloofness and pride in her heart. Today, she was ordered to deliver embroidery to Zhaoyang Palace, but she got lost and accidentally stumbled into the heavily guarded martial arts training ground.

"You audacious maid! How dare you trespass here?" The shout startled the birds in the branches. Ling Xue looked up and saw a black-armored general standing with a spear in hand, his sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes gleaming with a chilling light. It was Zhou Xing, the imperial bodyguard. Behind him, dozens of imperial guards drew their swords in unison, the blades gleaming in the morning sun, making it hard to open one's eyes.

The girl turned deathly pale with fright, and the brocade in her arms fell to the ground. It was a ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) embroidered with butterflies and flowers in gold thread, the stitches so fine that even the patterns on the butterfly wings were clearly visible. Zhou Xing glanced at the exquisite craftsmanship and was slightly taken aback—such skill should not have come from the hands of an ordinary palace maid. He dismissed his attendants and bent down to pick up the garment, catching a faint scent of agarwood, and inexplicably felt a slight stirring in his heart.

"Considering this is your first offense, take it." He said gruffly, his gaze sweeping over the worn cuffs of her trembling elbows. Suddenly, he took a jade pendant from his waist and stuffed it into her palm. "Be more careful in the future." The warm touch made Ling Xue feel as if she were in a dream. When she came to her senses, she only saw the man's tall figure disappear into the morning mist.

After that, whenever she was on duty, she would always "accidentally" meet him at the corner of the palace path. Sometimes it was when he was patrolling and passed by her laundry pool, and sometimes it was when she was delivering fabric and passed by his post. Gradually, a strange tacit understanding developed between the two: he would pretend to check her waist tag, but actually add a few rose pastries to her food box; she would use the excuse of mending the tear in his battle robe to secretly embroider small pine and cypress patterns on the lining.

The late autumn nights came exceptionally early, and the pattering autumn rain pattered against the glazed tiles of the Fengtian Hall. Ling Xue, carrying her freshly ironed dragon robe, walked towards the Qianqing Palace when she suddenly heard a muffled groan coming from the Imperial River. Curiosity drove her to follow the sound, and in the moonlight, she saw Zhou Xing lying face down on the bank, soaking wet, with half a broken arrow stuck in his shoulder!

"Don't make a sound!" He gripped her wrist tightly, blood seeping through his fingers into her sleeve. Torches flickered in the distance, clearly indicating that pursuers were closing in. Ling Xue gritted her teeth, lifted his arm, and dragged him into a dark alley. In the chaos, she kicked over a bucket of water, drawing even more hurried footsteps. In a split second, she tore off her hairband and used it to stop the bleeding from his wound, then tore open the cotton lining of her clothes to use as a bandage.

Back at their quarters, they lit an oil lamp and examined the arrowhead closely, only to discover it gleamed with an eerie, ghostly blue light—"It's a poisoned arrow brought by the Western Regions delegation!" she gasped. Zhou Xing, pale-faced, gave a bitter smile: "I'm afraid someone doesn't want me to find evidence of their smuggling of weapons." It turned out that there had been frequent disturbances at the border recently, and as his personal bodyguard, he had been ordered to investigate this matter secretly, but instead, he had been tricked and fallen into a trap.

For the next two weeks, Ling Xue visited his recovery site daily under the guise of delivering clothes. She gathered antidote herbs, crushed them, and applied them to his wounds, while also brewing ginseng soup to replenish his energy. Watching his furrowed brow as he delirious with fever, she inexplicably hummed a Jiangnan folk song her mother used to sing when she was young. As her hoarse voice sang, the cold sweat on the man's forehead gradually subsided.

One night, a eunuch on duty suddenly burst in to search for contraband. Ling Xue, quick-witted, shoved him under a wicker basket used for weaving, then sat at her loom pretending to spin. When a sharp gaze swept over her trembling hands, she forced herself to remain calm and displayed the newly embroidered auspicious cloud pattern: "This is a birthday gift for Her Majesty the Empress." Only when the footsteps outside faded into the distance did the two dare to breathe freely.

On the winter solstice, heavy snow fell, blanketing the Forbidden City in white. As Ling Xue carried a charcoal brazier past the Wenyuan Pavilion, she heard suppressed coughs coming from inside. Pushing open the door, she saw Zhou Xing hunched over his desk, writing furiously. Piles of confidential memorials and imperial edicts from various regions were stacked on his desk. He didn't try to hide from her, only concealing a blood-stained handkerchief in his sleeve.

"You should rest and recuperate," she said with a tender scolding, turning to bring him the stewed fritillaria and pear soup. The man's fingers trembled slightly as he took the bowl, betraying his weakness. Outside the window, red plum blossoms bloomed proudly in the snow. He suddenly rose, walked to the window, and plucked the most vibrant bud, placing it in her hair: "This looks much better than those gold hairpins."

After that, on every day off, he would take her to see the newly arrived Akhal-Teke horses at the Imperial Stables, or sneak off to the Imperial Kitchen to learn how to make lotus-shaped pastries. Once, they were flying kites by Taiye Pond when the kite string got tangled in the mast of the imperial boat, causing the emperor to laugh and offer them wine. Amidst the clinking of glasses, Ling Xue heard him recite a passage from the Book of Songs in his deep voice for the first time, his eyes sparkling with a gentle light that did not belong to a warrior.

On the brightly lit Lantern Festival, they were separated in the crowd but reunited under the lantern riddles in the corridor. Zhou Xing pointed to the riddle "Spring breeze caresses the face, willow branches are long" (guess a Chinese character) and deliberately answered incorrectly to tease her anxious look, finally revealing the answer as the character "怦" (pēng). The flickering candlelight reflected his burning gaze: "My heart is like the flame in this lantern, already ignited by you."

On the eve of the Qingming Festival, a sudden fire engulfed Chuxiu Palace. Amidst the billowing smoke, Ling Xue saw Zhou Xing rushing against the flow of people towards the fire—where several concubines left behind by the late emperor were trapped! She grabbed a bucket of water and followed, but her path was blocked by collapsed beams and pillars.